The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-04-09
JIMMY ROWELL.
And How He Rescued Little Kit
tie Nichols.

NOOu SldICu upon Iue Wlue, SedIeu
flats and the rickety buildings of Plain
vile. 1t was the midday of that brief
season-the "St. Martins Summer" of
the Frenchman-which, between No
vember and December, lends passing
brightness to the sky and warmth to the
air. Not flake of snow lay on the
withered grass; no frost had yet bound
the soil; only the long howl of the
gale, morning and evening, suggested
the period of storms. Even old set
tiers, whose staunch champions of the
superior. days that were, owned the
matchless beauty and serenity of the
season.
The desolate station hustled that
day with unusual activity. Ponies
were fastened, singly or in groups, at
the different hitching-placeS. Men
were saddling them, loosening straps,
adjusting buckles, ordering, criticising,
chatting one another in the reckless
fashion of the West, where they joke
over every thing, from a murder up to
an Indian raid. That the present ex-
citement, however, had a slighter
cause might be inferred from the
crowds unchecked and extravagant
mirth
They were to have started at sunrise,
and of course were nearly ready by
neon. Having waited so long the party
moved an adjournment for dinner.
The proposition finding favor sundry
fires were kindled, and the air made
fragrant with the steam from boiling
coffee and frying pork. Talk flew
back and forth, as the rough cooks
moved about. The keen wit of the
frontier is the keenest at meal times.
Dinner being dispatched, the last loi.
terer was springing to the saddle when
a boy of about sixteen, mounted on q
weary-looking white pony, rode up tt
the group.
Heaven save us!' growled tai
fellow to his neighbor. "Ef thar sin
Jimmy Rowell, always late and never
left. I'll be-blessed, eff l wouldn'
like to give the little rooster shakin
for his impotence"
Don't tell him so," returned thu
other, laughing shortly. Lets rid
on, Jake. "
mot much!' said Jake, facing tn
newcomer with a scowl meant to b
impressive.
Long Jake's scowl was calculated t
make an impression. He was lear
dark-browed fellow, with skin har
and brown as leather, deep-set, kee
black eyes, and struggling blac
beard One cheek was strangely d,
formed, by a long, repulsive sea-
which, perhaps, gave rise to the repol
that he had been guerrilla. He ha
not been long in that district, ant
though expert in the arts of the cattl
camp, was not general favorite.
To jim Rowell he had taken a pos
tive dislike, as cordially returned. tt
two seldom met without II word
skirmish, in which the elder was ofte
worsted, to the great delight of h
comrades. Jim, wi h his daring spiri
his bold, ready replies, and uncOmmc
"smartness," was kind of n p
among them-a position not alwa,
tending to further his best interests.
"Well, JIM" announced Jake, SC
EMMY, "ef I'd boy with no mo
sense than you've got I'd kill hi
while he was easy to kill, that's a
What's up ncw?"
Nothing, " retorted the boy, quiC
" peeling his willow switch. 'exce
that they're going to hsng you in t
morning."
A burst of laughter greeted II
speech, and the herGer, turning |
horses head, rode OF at full spec
Jimmy and his friends following su
"What brought you up in such
hurry, young man?' asked the stot
jolly Al Thompson. Did you he
wi.4re we were gaiRE?"